A big rambling house in Southport or a modern box in Formby - which to choose?

[NotJustACigar]

Just that, really. We love the restaurants, beach and other amenities in Formby and we work in Liverpool so it's closer. But for the same money as a modern 70s or 80s not terribly attractive house we could get a gorgeous big character-filled house with a big garden in a decent part of southport. This would add on about 20 mins each way for the commute and also we don't know southport terribly well. From what we do know, however, there aren't such nice places for walks in woodlands or through countryside, and there is more a bit more crime. School district doesn't matter to us.

Here are a couple of example links that I think are fairly representative of what's available and while both are very nice houses the southport one is more to our taste. What would you do, and is the anything we're not considering? Thanks very much for any opinions you may have!

Formby: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-43376465.html

Southport: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38982827.html

Bitofun, you're on a roll!
Love that bath st one

Big rambling houses are lovely, but can take a lot of time and/or money to maintain. Saying that, we would never have a modern house as you get so much more space, more rooms in an old house.

We should open an estate agents BOF

Oh BOF, you've given me a lot to think about! Thank you very much, and you, too, jcl!

DH has said in the past that he isn't wild about Waterloo, as he finds it a bit young for us (we're nearly in our 50s) although I really like it. However I'm quite resistant to terraced or semis because of being very noise sensitive. We are pick buggers! That said, I love, love, love the Bath st one. Just wonder whether it would be noisy, and whether I could talk DH round.

Update - DH is intrigued by the Bath st one, too. Please no one else buy it . And I will buy you a drink for sure, BOF! Any idea about noise in a house like that?

The Bath Street house is stunning. I'm not surprised you're interested.

I think the walls are pretty thick in those old buildings. You MUST go and see it and report back!

Will do, BOF! Have emailed estate agent, we shall see if we get to view before Christmas. It's a tricky time of year. It would be amazing to have such a short commute, only .2 miles from the train station as well.

I am a bit in love with it myself. That skylight!

And the date- 1816. That must make it one of the oldest properties in the area. Waterloo was named after the 1815 battle, obviously, and was then a tiny settlement of wealthy merchants wanting some sea air. You might even have a friendly ghost .

Can't you just imagine the dancing parties they must have had at Christmas in that downstairs room? The ladies in their finest muslins, and the dashing gentlemen in their breeches?

Can I just ask if there are any decent (and not private) high schools in Crosby?

Yes- there is the Catholic Sacred Heart, and Holy Family High, the CofE (but open entry) St. Michaels, and Chesterfield High, which dd1 attends. She's got her Cambridge interview next week, so it can't be too bad!

Thanks, some of the ofsted remarks aren't great-I'm not sure how seriously to take them.

How exciting BOF. What is she hoping to study?

They're all pretty good, from what I know. I'd be ok with sending mine to any of them, tbh.

Natural Sciences, Joni. Considering that I have been stumped by her homework since about Year 5, she must have had plenty of support from school! She is very self-disciplined though- doesn't get that from me .

Good luck to her. My dn had her Cambridge interview last week (different subject though).

I'm thinking if moving back to the area, that Bath St one would be perfect!!
It's very quiet down there, but couldn't say what neighbours noise would be like.
Underthemountain - the ofsted reports aren't fantastic
But the schools are pretty solid
St Michaels is improving
Chesterfield more sporty and quite big.
Sacred Heart- I was surprised at their ofsted comments,it's an excellent school, but apparently it's because they did teacher led teaching, and the latest trend is for student led. A teacher friend said its much more on a level with a grammar school. And teachers/governors etc very committed to changing that ofsted rating
Don't know anything about holy family

Have you looked at Streetview? - do you know the exact address?
Lots of new build just behind it and a massive highrise building being constructed - office space or flats? Maybe not as quiet as you remember PPaka...

The highrise isn't being constructed, just window replacements etc, which seem to have come to a standstill anyway. And you don't really look out onto that side of the building. The area is still fine- it's not a grotty estate or anything. There is just a mix of housing in the area- still plenty of more picturesque bits around. Oh, and it is near the best pub I've ever been in- the hidden away Volunteer Arms. Possibly the last authentic and charming little drinking haven near a big city.

I don't know fornby, but really like southport.

Local paper report about the flats- no noisy construction going on.

The road isn't great but its the back view that's great
Yes if you look left you've got the start of the docks, but it's marine terrace then the marina then the river and the welsh hills.
And Crosby lakeside is spitting distance
here

I'd like to see a floor plan